Ven. Sogan Rinpoche returns to Kunsel Kyetsal
Autumn, 2012 – update on a successful project
Autumn, 2012 – update on a successful project
During the fall of 2012, TSF's founder spent three weeks in Tibet. While in Golok he visited the site of our first project, Kunsel Kyetsal. He inspected the building and facilities, met with students, faculty and staff, and reviewed a detailed five year update regarding every aspect of the school's operation.
In the video interview posted below, Ven. Sogan Rinpoche speaks with Sonam Kyi, one of six English teachers at Kunsel Kyetsal.
In the video interview posted below, Ven. Sogan Rinpoche speaks with Sonam Kyi, one of six English teachers at Kunsel Kyetsal.
After five years of operation, the condition of the school is excellent. Students, who number about one thousand in total, are working hard to make the most of their educational opportunities with the assistance of committed teachers and a well-organized, effective administrative staff.
Rinpoche learned that of the approximately 300 students who graduate from Kunsel Kyetsal each year:
- roughly 55% of graduates continue their studies at a variety of colleges and universities
- some students who do not attend college pursue training in specific technical skills at other schools
- some graduates start small businesses
- others move to cities in search of employment
When Golok community leaders contacted Rinpoche in 2004 to ask his help in improving educational opportunities for the nomadic children of the region, they stressed the need for providing access to better schools, especially facilities well-equipped with scientific and technological tools and where Tibetan was the primary language of instruction. An improved environment for studying boosts morale and leads to greater academic success; ultimately, more students will graduate. When more of the population is educated, then society as a whole benefits.
All indications are that as it embarks on its sixth year, Kunsel Kyetsal is succeeding in its mission. The training it offers gives many of Golok's young Tibetans a reason to hope for a better future, and accomplished Golok natives like English teacher Sonam Kyi have a reason to come home.
All indications are that as it embarks on its sixth year, Kunsel Kyetsal is succeeding in its mission. The training it offers gives many of Golok's young Tibetans a reason to hope for a better future, and accomplished Golok natives like English teacher Sonam Kyi have a reason to come home.
Above, Sogan Rinpoche observes a student practicing on the computer. There are two computer rooms at Kunsel Kyetsal and over a hundred computers are available for the students' use.
After years of study, a Golok native comes home to teach at Kunsel Kyetsal
As she explains in the video posted here, English teacher Sonam Kyi accepted a teaching position at Kunsel Kyetsal in the summer of 2008. She had recently returned from five years of study in the Philippines after earning a master's degree in International Studies and perfecting her knowledge of English.
News of a job opportunity at the recently-opened Kunsel Kyetsal in Golok reached Sonam Kyi. She knew that finding teachers willing to live in the area's harsh climate would be difficult and she was drawn to the idea of helping fellow Tibetan-speaking nomads acquire new skills that could help them prosper in the changing world of the 21st century. During the interview with Rinpoche, Sonam Kyi describes herself as, "a real, organic, Tibetan grasslands girl," with excellent literacy in her native language. Ninety percent of Kunsel Kyetsal's students are from the region's Tibetan nomadic families and when they arrive at the school, Tibetan is their only language. Since Tibetan is the language of instruction, students feel more at home and make faster progress in their studies.
Preparing for year five
A photo tour of Kunsel Kyetsal, summer of 2011
A photo tour of Kunsel Kyetsal, summer of 2011
Our beginnings as a humanitarian, non-profit foundation were inspired by the needs of young Tibetans living in the remote region of Golok, high on the Tibetan plateau. They had little access to education of any kind, much less modern, technically-oriented studies conducted in their native language.
We responded to an urgent request from community leaders and The Sogan Foundation was born under the direction of Ven. Sogan Rinpoche, a native of Golok now residing in the US.
That first project, Kunsel Kyetsal, a secondary school with sophisticated science and technological facilities is now in it's fifth year of serving Tibetan youth.
Here is a gallery of photos taken at Kunsel Kyetsal during the summer of 2011 as the school was readying for the start of another term of classes.
(Click on the images below to enlarge)
Biology Lab
Physics Lab
Chemistry Lab
Studying in the library
In class
Kunsel Kyetsal slideshows
–> Visit the Media Center for links to photo galleries of Kunsel Kyetsal – from groundbreaking through the first year of classes.
–> Visit the Media Center for links to photo galleries of Kunsel Kyetsal – from groundbreaking through the first year of classes.
Photos from various stages of the project
(Click pictures for larger view)
(Click pictures for larger view)
FALL, 2010: status report from Kunsel Kyetsal
In Golok this fall, Kunsel Kyetsal, the TSF-sponsored science and technology facility for Tibetan high school students, begins its fourth year of operation. The school's administrators recently submitted a status report to The Sogan Foundation's board of directors in which they describe an academic environment that is flourishing. As of September, 2010, additional young teachers – individuals of good character with good educational backgrounds – are being actively recruited. Rules and procedures that conform to the highest academic standards are in place, and the physical property of the school has been well maintained.
Following are some of the details of the report, including a series of photos showing students and teachers making good use of their new building and its impressive array of technological equipment.
Following are some of the details of the report, including a series of photos showing students and teachers making good use of their new building and its impressive array of technological equipment.
Science labs (biology, physics, and chemistry): There are six different biology classes which meet each week. Teachers bring specimens to the classroom to enhance the students' learning experience. There are six different classes of both physics and chemistry for students at different academic levels. Demonstrations and experiments are conducted in the labs.
Computer labs: There are 15 computer classes. Classes rotate among the various computer facilities in the school to give all students an opportunity to work on the computers.
Language Labs: The language labs provide instruction in three languages: Tibetan, Chinese and English. With the assistance of the staff, students can practice speaking and comprehending these languages.
Computer labs: There are 15 computer classes. Classes rotate among the various computer facilities in the school to give all students an opportunity to work on the computers.
Language Labs: The language labs provide instruction in three languages: Tibetan, Chinese and English. With the assistance of the staff, students can practice speaking and comprehending these languages.
Computer Lab
Language Lab
Lesson Planning: Through the internet, the teaching staff works to keep the content of lessons up-to-date with the latest technological developments in the modern world. Teachers have access to the facilities of the language labs at all times for the purposes of research and instruction. Also, many visiting scholars come to the school and use the language labs to teach our students. Chinese teachers at the school use the language labs to learn Tibetan dialects, in order to better communicate with the students.
Library Operations: With the support of The Sogan Foundation the library collection has grown from 8000 books to 48,000 books. When students check out books, they sign receipts which are given back when the book is returned. The library is open from 1 to 2 o'clock on Monday through Saturday. On Sunday and holidays, the library is open from 1 to 4 o'clock.
Library Operations: With the support of The Sogan Foundation the library collection has grown from 8000 books to 48,000 books. When students check out books, they sign receipts which are given back when the book is returned. The library is open from 1 to 2 o'clock on Monday through Saturday. On Sunday and holidays, the library is open from 1 to 4 o'clock.
Kunsel Kyetsal
In the fall of 2007, the doors of Kunsel Kyetsal opened on the campus of the only Tibetan high school in Golok. This new three-story building holds the school’s first library, and learning tools vital for a 21st century high school education: science laboratories, computers, and language labs.
This project was conceived by local educators in 2003 to address a critical concern within the Tibetan community: the lack of a quality education for Tibetans, and the resulting limited employment opportunities available to their younger generations. Government policies are focused on settling the region’s traditionally nomadic population and bringing development to this grassland region. With their traditional nomadic way of life in decline, the survival of Golok’s communities rests on their ability to find alternative livelihoods for their youth.
This project was conceived by local educators in 2003 to address a critical concern within the Tibetan community: the lack of a quality education for Tibetans, and the resulting limited employment opportunities available to their younger generations. Government policies are focused on settling the region’s traditionally nomadic population and bringing development to this grassland region. With their traditional nomadic way of life in decline, the survival of Golok’s communities rests on their ability to find alternative livelihoods for their youth.
Until the Kunsel Kyetsal project was complete in 2008, Golok’s Tibetan high school lacked the resources to offer its students a comprehensive secondary education. Students who held the hope of finding skilled jobs or attending university had only a slim chance of fulfilling their dream. While Tibetan families could send their children to attend good Chinese high schools in far-off cities, very few had the financial means to do so. Moreover, young Tibetans who attend these schools are removed from their communities and culture, and deprived of the opportunity to become literate in their own language.
A note on the project name
The provisional name of this project was the Tibetan Institute for Science and Technology. At the building's inauguration in July 2007, it was given its official Tibetan name: bod yig mtho rim slob 'bring kun gsal skyed tshal khan, a beautiful title translating to Pleasure Garden of Full Knowledge Golok Tibetan High School. We now refer to the new facility as Kunsel Kyetsal, a shortened and Anglicized version of the Tibetan name.
The provisional name of this project was the Tibetan Institute for Science and Technology. At the building's inauguration in July 2007, it was given its official Tibetan name: bod yig mtho rim slob 'bring kun gsal skyed tshal khan, a beautiful title translating to Pleasure Garden of Full Knowledge Golok Tibetan High School. We now refer to the new facility as Kunsel Kyetsal, a shortened and Anglicized version of the Tibetan name.
(Click on the image below to enlarge)
In the spring of 2008 the Kunsel Kyetsal project was fully funded, providing the school with the resources it needs to offer students a complete curriculum with Tibetan as the primary language of instruction. The school now has science laboratories which give students an opportunity to put their biology, chemistry and physics studies into practice; two computer laboratories; and two language labs for studying English and Chinese.
A good education is essential to the ability of Golok’s youth to succeed. And as they fare, so fares Golok. Our greatest hope is that with Kunsel Kyetsal’s resources, more Tibetan students will have the necessary preparation to pass their university entrance exams, obtain skilled employment and devote their attention, energy and training to their communities. Their success will determine the ability of Golok and its culture to weather the profound changes now underway, and, we hope, to thrive again.
In 2005 when Kunsel Kyetsal was in the planning stage, TSF representatives visited Golok and heard from local teens. Following are excerpts from two of those interviews.
"My interest is in learning arts and science as I believe they are extremely important. Both my parents are dead and my aunt is a poor nomad lady who is all I have left of my family. During school breaks I must go to help my aunt and work hard to help her survive. We have no money. Everything is difficult. Now I hear that Sogan Rinpoche is building an academy where we can finally have an opportunity to study science, technology, language and other things. This is the fulfillment of our dreams. This will change everything. Now we have a future that we can look forward to with happiness."
"I have to say that I and my fellow students come at great sacrifice to study at the Tibetan High School. We come with the hopes and prayers of our families that we will get an education that will help us rise out of poverty. Until now, these hopes and prayers have been frustrated by the total lack of access to a good education. With the establishment of [Kunsel Kyetsal], our hopes can be fulfilled."